Article archive / January 2018
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 1. Source pages: 6.
On December 12 the Governor announced that he appointed Angela S. Breidenstine, Ph.D., of New Orleans, to the Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Board. Breidenstine is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor at Tulane University School of Medicine's Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Dr. Breidenstine will serve as a representative of the Louisiana Psychological Association.
In another press release on December 14, the Governor applauded the Fund recipients and the success of the first grantee meeting of the Trust Fund. Grantees attending the meeting from around the state were awarded a total of $858,960 to be used for child abuse and neglect prevention throughout Louisiana over the next year, said the announcement.
During the 2017 legislative session, administration of the Children’s Trust Fund was transferred to the Governor’s Office through legislation sponsored by Sen. Regina Barrow. Grantees in attendance at the first meeting were awarded money in order to fulfill the mission of the Children’s Trust Fund––to prevent child abuse and neglect among Louisiana’s children and families through building strong cross-sector partnerships and through increased child safety public awareness, said the announcement.
“Protecting our most vulnerable children has been a priority for my wife Donna and I, so we are incredibly grateful for all of the work being done by community organizations around the state through the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund grants,” said Gov. Edwards. “Sen. Regina Barrows’ legislation bringing the fund into my office will allow us to elevate this priority and continue the important work of preventing child abuse and neglect in Louisiana.”
In 1983, following a devastating child abuse fatality, the Louisiana Legislature unanimously passed the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Act to prioritize and separate funds for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Louisiana then became the 5th state in the United States of America to establish the Children’s Trust Fund.
The purpose of the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund are:
1. Support community-based efforts to develop, operate, expand, enhance, and coordinate initiatives, programs, and activities to prevent child abuse and neglect
2. Support the coordination of resources and activities to better strengthen and support families to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect
3. Foster understanding, appreciation and knowledge of diverse populations in order to effectively prevent and treat child abuse and neglect
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